The story of Naomi begins when she is in a personal crisis. Ruth 1:1-5 tells us how this happened over a period of ten years.
In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.
3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband. [1]
Naomi and family moved to the country of Moab for a better life. Naomi became disillusioned with God when she lost her husband Elimelech, and her sons Mahlon and Kilion to death. Her plans for a better life did not turn out as she expected. She thinks God has turned against her and made her life bitter. She even wants to change her name. The name “Naomi” means pleasant, but at the time, life wasn’t pleasant. She tells the people of her home town to call her “Mara” which means bitter.
How do I navigate life when it seems like I am in a desert? What do I do when it feels like God has abandoned me? Why would a loving and all powerful God allow pain in my life? Where do I turn for help? I believe I can ask God where He is. I can cry out for help. My prayer may go something like this: “Lord help me; because I can’t dig myself out of the hole.” Sometimes a better question than “Why did this happen?” is the question “What are you trying to teach me?”
- Psalm 34:17 -The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
- James 1:2-4 -Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
- Hebrews 4:16 – So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
As I focus on God’s Word in a storm, I begin to look up. Looking down is discouraging, but when I look up in a storm, I look to God. As I look up, the Lord assures me of His presence and gives me a peace only He can give. As I look up, I begin to realize that God can bring good even out of a bad situation. As I look up, I can pray and carry my requests to the Lord’s throne.
To hear more about Naomi in crisis listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-the-divine-intruder/the-divine-intruder-during-crisis
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ru 1:1–5, Psalm 34:17, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 4:16). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.